Couchsurfing Hosts

Home is a very personal space for many individuals, but there is a group of people who are very courageous to invite strangers into their spaces. And their stories, life perspectives, and experiences fascinate me.

In this environmental portrait series, Couchsurfing Hosts, I visited a group of people in New York City and the surrounding vicinity who open up their homes to travelers in exchange for the opportunity to learn and share cultures. I went from house to house carrying my DSLR with one speed light and a diffuser to talk with them, surf in some of their homes, and create portraits with them. Couchsurfing is a homestay and social network community that connects members to find a free place to stay while traveling (surfer) or to share their home with travelers (host). I first became aware of this community in 2009, but I had never hosted or been hosted before embarking on this project. It is a fascinating community that allows people to make connections, particularly those who enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures.

As I work on this project, I am thinking about how, in a world where social media has a large influence on our lives, this network helps bring people from all over the world closer together. Is the planet becoming smaller at the expense of the city becoming larger?

"Spend less time answering questions and more time having fun!"

"Spend less time answering questions and more time having fun!"

" The house is a lot of fun for those with open minds, but it’s not for everyone."

" The house is a lot of fun for those with open minds, but it’s not for everyone."

"Learn to love without condition. Talk without bad intention. Give without any reason. And most of all, care for people without any expectations."

"Learn to love without condition. Talk without bad intention. Give without any reason. And most of all, care for people without any expectations."

"If I don’t spend a day or two with my quest it’s no fun for me at all and I just feel like I’m a hostel."

"If I don’t spend a day or two with my quest it’s no fun for me at all and I just feel like I’m a hostel."

" Traveling is my ultimate passion. I live to see the world, experience the world and live the world. It brings me joy, it gives me life and it keeps me in balance."

" Traveling is my ultimate passion. I live to see the world, experience the world and live the world. It brings me joy, it gives me life and it keeps me in balance."

"A curious person that really enjoys learning about and experiencing other cultures. I’m fascinated by how the rest of the world lives. It feels like the more I see and experience of the world, the more I realize how little I’ve seen."

"A curious person that really enjoys learning about and experiencing other cultures. I’m fascinated by how the rest of the world lives. It feels like the more I see and experience of the world, the more I realize how little I’ve seen."

"They have made great friendships through Couchsurfing. They’ve also met some real fucking weirdos. Don’t be fucking weirdo!"

"They have made great friendships through Couchsurfing. They’ve also met some real fucking weirdos. Don’t be fucking weirdo!"

"...I feel like I’m doing my part in helping people achieve their dreams of traveling."

"...I feel like I’m doing my part in helping people achieve their dreams of traveling."

" Don’t be shy, BE A TOURIST! I’m still learning new things all the time in NY. Tourists are welcomed here. You’re in a new land. Make the most of it by exploring and asking questions, and experiencing what is new to you.'

" Don’t be shy, BE A TOURIST! I’m still learning new things all the time in NY. Tourists are welcomed here. You’re in a new land. Make the most of it by exploring and asking questions, and experiencing what is new to you.'

"...I started realizing that seeing monuments and famous landmarks weren’t bringing value to my life, and while I could tell you what I did in all the places I went to, I couldn’t really talk about the culture, the people, the lifestyle."

"...I started realizing that seeing monuments and famous landmarks weren’t bringing value to my life, and while I could tell you what I did in all the places I went to, I couldn’t really talk about the culture, the people, the lifestyle."

"Every time I meet someone new or have someone stay in my house (room-mate, guests, etc.) I feel there is a lesson that they have shared with me, by telling me about their life, by showing me a different way or a different lifestyle. always feel enri

"Every time I meet someone new or have someone stay in my house (room-mate, guests, etc.) I feel there is a lesson that they have shared with me, by telling me about their life, by showing me a different way or a different lifestyle. always feel enriched."

"...it’s not about the places I’ve been, it’s about the people I’ve met and shared life-changing moments with. You only live once."

"...it’s not about the places I’ve been, it’s about the people I’ve met and shared life-changing moments with. You only live once."

"I share my grandma philosophy: The house is small but the heart is big. She loved to host and feed people!"

"I share my grandma philosophy: The house is small but the heart is big. She loved to host and feed people!"

"I love to travel and explore new places to stay creative and open minded. I believe we can all learn something from each other, therefore we should be humble and respectful. Always remember you are braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. Sm

"I love to travel and explore new places to stay creative and open minded. I believe we can all learn something from each other, therefore we should be humble and respectful. Always remember you are braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. Smarter than you think. And twice as beautiful as you’d ever imagined."

"Love and respect others. Current mission: to make friends from around the world. :-)"

"Love and respect others. Current mission: to make friends from around the world. :-)"

"...I believe the world is made better by travel and that travel is made richer by connection."

"...I believe the world is made better by travel and that travel is made richer by connection."

"Different culture have different aspects of life.  I learn the differences of cultures through their people to understand more about this world."

"Different culture have different aspects of life.  I learn the differences of cultures through their people to understand more about this world."

"I expect some level of interaction. If I wanted to feel like a stranger in my own home I would use Errbnb and at least get paid for it."

"I expect some level of interaction. If I wanted to feel like a stranger in my own home I would use Errbnb and at least get paid for it."

"Technologist working on a new venture! Dogs, travel, bailamos salsa, meditation and yoga. I am one with the force."

"Technologist working on a new venture! Dogs, travel, bailamos salsa, meditation and yoga. I am one with the force."

"Party naked! I have found that when people are naked they instantly connect on a deeper more intimate level. They are able to communicate more openly about topics that are generally reserved for close friends."

"Party naked! I have found that when people are naked they instantly connect on a deeper more intimate level. They are able to communicate more openly about topics that are generally reserved for close friends."